About Douglas County, NE

I like to work expired listings. When a home expires it means the MARKET has rejected the PRICE. Changing agents or companies WILL NOT change the market. It simply amazes me when a home expires then the next agent RAISES the price? Some of the more inexperienced agents that work expireds will try to justify raising the price because they are or have a better (fill in the blank) then the previous agent. Maybe they are better than the previous agent?

However, an experienced buyer's agent will simply do an address history to see 1) how long it has been on the market in the past and 2) what was the previous listing price was. By raising the price, you have simply prolonged your seller's market time. Is that really in the best interest of the seller?

When a listing expires, a seller has two options. Sell or Stay. If they have to SELL they make their property a better value in the marketplace. This is done by lowering the price, making improvements or both. If they can not lower the price and/or make improvements, then they should consider staying until the market improves or they have enough money to bring to closing. Some sellers especially if they purchased a home in the past few years simply do not understand their home might have decreased in value.

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate

The Women's Council of Realtors is hosting motivational and leadership speaker Walter Bond. Walter presentation "Sell It Like You Mean It!" will be September 8th.

Women's Council of Realtors goal is promote women as entrepreneurs, specfically in the real estate industry.

Trumm Team - Alliance Real Estate, Omaha, NE

Your Home Sold within 120 Days or I will Buy It!

I'm not a sports fan but I chuckled and had to stop when I drove past this status at the entrance of the Huntington Park subdivision. Enjoy!

Many buyers overlook the value of a survey when buying a home. In fact, buyers will often leave the decision up to the lender. Some lenders require a survey while others do not. A survey is done in order to determine the true boundary lines of the property. Do not assume that since a home has a fence that a survey is not necessary.

Serveral homeowners are learning the hard way with not having a survey done in Omaha. They purchased homes in the El Dorado subdivision that had fences and decks that were not built on someone else's property. In fact, it was built on public land and now the government is requiring the homeowners to remove the fences and decks at the cost of the homeowner.

Several homeowners stated that the agents they used to purchase the homes did not recommend getting a survey. This is a clear indication of why it is important to use an experienced agent rather than any agent you find from calling off a sign. Having an experienced Realtor can mean the difference between a smooth transaction or having an experience that haunts you years later to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars.

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate

The best time to solve problems is before closing. When you are buying a home one of the most important tasks you will do is a final walk-through. The final walk-through is to make sure that all the terms of the purchase contract are resolved. If something is not right on the walk-through ... do not close. Do not feel pressured by anyone to close because after closing getting issue resolved becomes 10 times harder.

When you are buying a home it is best to conduct your walk-through at least 48 hours before closing so the seller will have time to fix or address any items that might need to be addressed. If repairs were part of the contract, it is best to make sure that the reciepts are available at the time of the walk-through. Again, if something is not right - get what needs to be done in writing in order to close. If the issue is not properly addressed before closing to your satisfaction then DON'T CLOSE!

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate